Episode 52 – Victory over the Virus Part 5

Welcome to Anchored by Truth brought to you by Crystal Sea Books. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The goal of Anchored by Truth is to encourage everyone to grow in the Christian faith by anchoring themselves to the secure truth found in the inspired, inerrant, and infallible word of God.

Script: (Bible quotes from the Contemporary English Version and others)

Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

1 John, Chapter 5, verses 4 and 5, Contemporary English Version

No matter how much you know or what plans you make, you can't defeat the LORD. Even if your army has horses ready for battle, the LORD will always win.

1 John, Chapter 5, verses 4 and 5, Contemporary English Version

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VK: Good Morning. I’m Victoria K. Welcome to Anchored by Truth brought to you by Crystal Sea Books. I’m here today with RD Fierro, author and founder of Crystal Sea Books. As we had announced in a previous episode before the Covid-19 virus struck our nation and community we wanted to do a series on Anchored by Truth to focus on one of the strongest lines of evidence for the Bible’s inspiration: fulfilled prophecy. But, given the interruption to our lives that this virus has caused we thought that it was more important to spend some time meditating on what the Bible says about dealing with the tribulation that will inevitably be part of life in a fallen creation. RD, maybe we should do a quick review of what we have covered so far in this series?

RD: Well, before we get to the review, I like the fact that you mentioned a fallen creation. Just as a general reminder it’s important to remember that the Bible represents a consistent system of thought – a unified and continuing story if you will. The Bible is one continuous narrative about creation, fall, and redemption. So, the virus that our nation and the world are dealing with now is, sadly, a graphic reminder that Adam’s sin in the garden continues to affect us today. We tend to think of viruses, and bacteria for that matter, as dangerous and unnecessary. But we now know that – while certain categories of viruses and bacteria are definitely dangerous and can be fatal – generally speaking, both bacteria and viruses play beneficial roles in making our world livable.

VK: Can you amplify on that a little?

RD: A little being the key phrase there. But there is actually quite a bit of information on the topic of the beneficial role of viruses and bacteria on the Creation Ministries International website, creation.com. We’ll put a link to one of the general articles in the text notes that accompany the podcast version of this show. Just as a brief summary, in contrast to general idea that bacteria are harmful to living systems, bacteria are at the basis of our life-support system. They supply fertile soil and atmospheric gases to the world. They cleanse our water supply, play a role in stabilizing the atmospheric nitrogen concentration, as well as regulating the acidity or alkalinity of the soil environment. It is a fair statement to say that bacteria generally ensure that our world is livable. And for reasons that are too lengthy to go into today, bacteria need viruses to be able to adapt to the environment and continue to do their essential work. Viruses aren’t really living creatures. They’re more like seeds or spores that carry genetic information from one host to another but this role is critical to bacteria and other living creatures. Most viruses live in their hosts in a benign or even helpful way. Most, but obviously not all.

VK: So the big point you’re making is that the danger that certain viruses and bacteria now pose to other living creatures is a perversion of their original role. Like the rest of creation they were originally totally benign, but Adam and Eve’s sin didn’t just affect them and their descendants. It affected all of creation.

RD: Precisely. The Apostle Paul makes this point explicitly clear in the 8th chapter of Romans. There Paul says that creation is confused and, in fact, groaning in pain, like a woman about to give birth. When God told Adam and Eve that wages of sin was death He wasn’t fooling. Harmful bacteria and viruses are one result of Adam’s sin, but that wasn’t how God designed them. I know that it is an alien thought in our supposedly enlightened culture to harken back to the consequences of sin, but when you get back to the Biblical basics so much of what we see around us today makes a lot more sense.

VK: Well, before we go too much farther down this rabbit hole let’s listen to a dramatization of that climatic time in the garden when that first sin occurred. This is another excerpt from Crystal Sea Books’ upcoming Genesis Saga. This happens to be part 3 called The Serpent’s Poison.

---- THE GENESIS SAGA, PART III – THE SERPENT’S POISON

VK: Wow. That really does bring home the real tragedy that occurred that day in the garden. Eve was tempted by the devil, but the Bible says that it was her desire for god-like wisdom that made her taste the fruit. You know it wouldn’t seem that the desire for wisdom itself was a bad thing?

RD: In and of itself the desire for wisdom is not a bad thing. What made both Adam and Eve eating the fruit sinful was that God had prohibited them from eating of that specific tree which was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Let’s be very clear. Adam and Eve made a free choice to eat of the tree thereby directly violating God’s command. Sometimes I’ve heard critics of the Bible say that somehow this violation was a sort of “fall upward.” Their conclusion is the idea that Adam and Eve would never have known the difference between good and evil if they hadn’t eaten the forbidden fruit. But this conclusion is not supported by the text.

VK: What do you mean?

RD: If Adam and Eve had chosen to obey God they would still have obtained wisdom but the wisdom would have been gained from obedience not disobedience. The implication that somehow Adam and Even somehow became smarter or wiser through sin is completely false. If they had persisted in obedience they would have gained wisdom, but this wisdom would have been wisdom untainted by pain, death, and rebellion.

VK: So just like in a family with two children where one rebels against their parent and one is obedient. The rebel has different experiences but that doesn’t make him or her any smarter or more clever than the obedient one. In fact, the obedient one may grow and mature faster and go farther because their energy isn’t being diverted into unproductive and unnecessary struggles? Though even the best among will, of course, always experience a fair share of struggle. So how does all this tie in to our main subject about how to deal with difficult times like coping with the presence of the virus?

RD: Well, as we’ve been talking about during the first four episodes the key to dealing with any difficulty – the virus, financial troubles, health difficulties, family struggles – whatever. The key is to remember that in and of ourselves we are not equipped to deal with tribulation. Now that seems like bad news, but it becomes good news when we recognize that God never intended for us to deal with tribulation by ourselves.

VK: Right. Jesus told his disciples in John 16:33 that in this world we would have tribulation, or trouble, but that we could take heart because He had overcome the world.

RD: Exactly. So, in this Victory over the Virus series we’ve been taking a close look at the scriptures that show us how Jesus has overcome the world. In our first episode in this Victory over the Virus series we saw that God promises in a number of different places in the Bible that He will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 6:31, Isaiah 49:15, Psalm 23:4) He promises to always be with us no matter what we’re going through. In our second episode we saw that, in addition to just guaranteeing us His presence, God also promises to give us what we need in trying times and we focused on three super-important qualities that we all need: wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), strength (Nehemiah 8:10), and contentment (Philippians 4:12). And in our third episode we took a look at the attributes of God such as His immutability (Malachi 3:6) that guarantee us that the promises God made were intended just as much for us, in this day and time, as they were for the very first audience that ever heard those promises. Then in our last episode we talked about the fact that God will often do amazing things for His people such as provide them deliverance from trouble or supplying their needs because doing so brings recognition of His glory (Psalm 79:9)

VK: Also, just as a reminder for anyone who wasn’t able to join us for those earlier episodes they are now available by podcast through all major podcast apps. Just look for the Anchored by Truth the Victory over the Virus episodes.

RD: Absolutely and posting them as podcasts allows them to share them with others. Listeners should also know that we routinely post written script notes along with the podcast audio so anyone who would like to review the Bible quotes and scripture references can just get the script notes rather than having to write things down as they’re listening.

VK: Right. So where do you want to go today?

RD: Well, let’s build on the start that we made earlier. Part of dealing with trials or tribulation is ensuring that we have the necessary context to make sense of all this. And part of that context is to remember that we do live in a fallen creation. If we don’t remember that it’s easy to drift off into thinking that somehow we “brought this on ourselves” or another old bromide “God is punishing us for this or that sin.” I’ve recently had people ask me whether I think this virus is God’s way of punishing America for its sin.

VK: Probably more than one person has wondered that. So what did you say?

RD: I said that if God were aiming this virus at America he missed because reportedly the virus is present in over 180 countries. So, thinking that God aimed this virus at America would mean He hit over 179 other targets.

VK: And you think God has better aim than that?

RD: I don’t think it. I know it. And none of these observations are intended as criticism of anybody. There are only three big points I draw out of all of this.

VK: Ok. What’s number one?

RD: The Bible is true. Everything we see about this crisis - both the good and bad things – are consistent with what the Bible tells us about creation and frankly man. Greed, the love of money, undoubtedly played a role, a very unfortunate role, in the spread of the disease. But you’ve also seen groups motivated by their Christian values, like Samaritan’s Purse, step out into danger to bring relief. There’s nothing in this unfolding crisis that is inconsistent with how the Bible describes the fallen nature of creation or the actions of man.

VK: Interesting. Then, what’s number two?

RD: Jesus has promised us that He will never leave us or forsake us. If He doesn’t put out the fire in our lives He will stand with us in it. He has already walked through the darkest valley possible so who would you want to be with when you’re in your own valleys – someone who has walked there and come out the other side. Moreover, Jesus won’t just be there with us but He will equip us with what we need. But, and this a key but, but He only equips us in the way He has promised He would. In other words when Nehemiah told the ancient Hebrews – and us – that the joy of the Lord is our strength, he was telling us that to be strong we must look to the Lord. Paul reinforced this idea when he said in Philippians 4:13 that he got his, Paul’s, strength from Christ. Wisdom starts when we ensure that we have an appropriate appreciation of who the Lord is. The Lord will be with us and give us what we need but we must do it the Lord’s way. In Philippians 4:19 Paul said he could do all things but he didn’t say he could do all things any way he wanted. He said he could do all things through Christ. And that’s a lesson that the entire Bible reinforces. The Lord cares deeply for us, so deeply that He wants the best for us, and the best way is always His way.

VK: Wow. Some of those things aren’t easy for people today to hear. But that doesn’t mean they’re not true. Ok. What’s number three?

RD: Third, even when we mess up God doesn’t just chunk us away and start over.

VK: Chunk us away. Really?

RD: Yeah. Chunk. You know toss, throw, heave. Anyway, that’s what God doesn’t do with us. When we mess up, which we all do, most of the time God simply starts over with us trying to help us see that his way really is best. Remember Jonah. He wound up in the belly of the fish because he didn’t want to do what God was calling him to do – go to Nineveh and preach repentance. But despite his initial failure God called on him again to do the same thing and this time Jonah did what God instructed. And the Bible tells us that it resulted in one of the greatest revivals in history because the whole city repented. This was all the more remarkable because the Ninevites were sworn enemies of Israel and had never worshipped the God of the Bible. God isn’t the God of one and done. He’s the God of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th, and 110th chances. Thankfully he’s a God of redemption, restoration, and reclamation not dismissal and disillusionment. In Philippians 1:6 Paul says that “He began a good work in you will continue it until the day of Christ Jesus.” That should be very encouraging to all of us. As long as we’re here and really want Jesus to help us grow in obedience to Him, He won’t abandon us.

VK: That is a truly comforting thought. As we mentioned last time, sometimes we might question why God would be inclined to listen to us at all. As David said in Psalm 8:4, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” But the clear answer is that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. So, God has made an incalculable sacrifice for us. So, He won’t give up on us. If we will look to Him, He will continue to sustain us even when no one on earth will. He’s a Father to His children and nothing will ever change that. Sounds like a great time for a prayer. Today, since so many of our friends and neighbors have lost jobs or pay because of this virus, today let’s pray for all those who are finding that money is tight but let’s do so remembering God’s promise that it is God who will supply all our needs.

---- PRAYER FOR WHEN MONEY IS TIGHT

VK: We’d like to remind our audience that a lot of our radio episodes are linked together in series of topics so if they missed any episodes or if they just want to hear one again, all of these episodes are available on your favorite podcast app. To find them just search on “Anchored by Truth by Crystal Sea Books.”

If you’d like to hear more, try out crystalseabooks.com where “We’re not famous but our Boss is!”

(Opening Bible Quotes from the Contemporary English Version)

1 John, Chapter 5, verses 4 and 5, Contemporary English Version

1 John, Chapter 5, verses 4 and 5, Contemporary English Version

https://creation.com/did-god-make-pathogenic-viruses

SCRIPTURES USED DURING THE VICTORY OVER THE VIRUS SERIES

GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE US

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy, Chapter 31, verse 6, New International Version

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me.”

Psalm 23, verse 4, New King James Version

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

Isaiah, Chapter 49, verses 15 and 16, New King James Version

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

The Gospel of John, Chapter 11, verse 25, New King James Version

CONTENTMENT

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through [Christ] who gives me strength.

Philippians, Chapter 4, verses 12 and 13, New International Version

WISDOM

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.”

Proverbs, Chapter 9, verses 10 and 11, New International Version

STRENGTH

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah, Chapter 8, verse 10, New International Version

GOD IS UNCHANGING

I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 

Malachi, Chapter 3, verse 6, New International Version

THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands;

1 Samuel, Chapter 17, verse 47, New International Version

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. “Be strong and courageous...

Joshua, Chapter 1, verses 5 and 6, New Living Translation

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah, Chapter 41, verse 10, New Living Translation

TRIALS PRODUCE CONFIDENCE

We know that suffering creates endurance, endurance creates character, and character creates confidence.

Romans, Chapter 5, verses 3 and 4, God’s Word Translation

GOD’S CONCERN FOR HIS GLORY PRODUCES DELIVERANCE

Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.

Psalm 79, verse 9, New International Version

I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols

Isaiah, Chapter 42, verse 8, New Living Translation

GOD WILL DEFEAT HIS ENEMIES (AND OURS) TO BRING GLORY TO HIMSELF

Your right hand, O LORD, wins glory because it is strong. Your right hand, O LORD, smashes your enemies.

Exodus, Chapter 15, verse 6, God’s Word Translation